Misty Copeland Joins The Met as a Trustee

The Met’s announcement identifies Copeland as a dancer, author, producer and philanthropist. She became the first Black woman promoted to principal ballerina at American Ballet Theatre, and her foundation works to broaden access to ballet. Her foundation’s BE BOLD program provides introductory ballet for children of color ages 5 to 12. It is an after-school initiative inspired by her own experience at the San Pedro Boys and Girls Club. That work supplies a concrete example of the access-focused advocacy cited in the museum announcement: introducing children to an art form before professional training or a career is even part of the conversation.

Copeland was already connected to the museum. The Met says she served on the host committee for its 2026 Costume Institute Benefit and was honored at its Women’s History Month event. The board appointment extends that relationship.

The announcement does not outline a specific exhibition or initiative attached to her appointment. For now, the development is the seat itself—and the addition of a working artist’s experience to the institution’s leadership. The two activities are distinct. An introductory dance class and museum board service address different parts of cultural life, but both concern who gets access to the arts and how institutions support that access.